Dr. Chandrakant Lingadhal is an accomplished fisheries scientist, academician, and marine environmental researcher with over three decades of experience in fisheries science, aquatic ecology, marine biology, remote sensing, GIS, and coastal resource management. He is currently serving as Associate Professor & Head at the Fisheries Research & Information Center (Marine), Ankola, under Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, a position he has held since July 2024. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Professor & Head at the same institution for over twelve years.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Lingadhal worked as Consultant Scientist and Project Scientist at the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre, where he contributed to major projects involving wetland mapping, coastal land-use and land-cover (LULC) mapping, and land resource information systems using geospatial technologies. He also served in various research positions including Research Scientist, Scientist Pool Officer (CSIR), Research Associate, Senior Research Fellow, Junior Research Fellow, Contact Teacher, and Assistant Professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, contributing significantly to marine ecology, fisheries, aquaculture, and environmental monitoring.

His postgraduate and doctoral research focused on ecological monitoring and primary productivity of the Arabian Sea off Mangalore, laying a strong scientific foundation in marine ecosystem research.

Research Contributions

Dr. Lingadhal has made significant contributions to marine and freshwater fisheries research, coastal ecology, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and water quality assessment. His research spans marine ecology, estuarine productivity, mangrove ecosystems, hydrography, shrimp farming, plankton ecology, fish culture, and aquatic environmental management.

He has authored 38 peer-reviewed scientific publications in reputed national and international journals and has presented 16 research papers at national and international conferences. His research has advanced knowledge in marine ecosystem productivity, phytoplankton ecology, estuarine nutrient dynamics, water quality assessment, fisheries management, and sustainable aquaculture.

Research Projects & Scientific Leadership

Dr. Lingadhal has successfully led and collaborated on several externally funded research projects as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, including:

• Development of captive broodstock and hatchery technology for Pearl Spot (Etroplus suratensis).
• All India Network Project (AINP) on Mariculture – Phase I & II funded by ICAR-CMFRI.
• Marine microalgae utilization for shrimp feed development funded by Reliance Research & Development Centre.
• Demonstration projects on substrate-based aquaculture and composite fish culture funded by the Government of Karnataka.

These projects have significantly contributed to sustainable mariculture technologies and fisheries development in Karnataka.

Teaching, Training & Extension Activities

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Lingadhal has actively engaged in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision, and fisheries extension. He has guided four M.F.Sc. postgraduate students and has been involved in teaching fisheries, aquaculture, limnology, and marine sciences.

He has participated in 16 national training programmes, refresher courses, workshops, faculty development programmes, and winter/summer schools covering remote sensing, GIS, marine fisheries, nanotechnology, climate change, ICT, digital teaching, agripreneurship, and sustainable aquaculture.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Lingadhal has received several prestigious recognitions, including:

• Best Fisheries Scientist Award (2025) presented during the 9th International Conference on Advances in Agriculture, Biological and Biodiversity Conservation (ABCD-2025).
• Certificate of Merit from KVAFSU for mobilizing significant external research funding under the AINP-Mariculture Project (Phase I & II).
• UAS Gold Medal for securing distinction in his Ph.D.
• Doctoral Fellowship jointly supported by the National Remote Sensing Agency and UAS Bangalore.
• Merit Scholarship from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Lingadhal is an active member of several professional organizations, including:

• Network of Tropical Aquaculture Scientists (Philippines)
• Marine Biological Association of India
• Professional Fisheries Graduates Forum, India
• Frontier Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Areas of Expertise

His major areas of expertise include:

• Marine Ecology
• Fisheries Science
• Aquaculture and Mariculture
• Coastal Zone Management
• Water Quality Assessment
• Mangrove Ecology
• Remote Sensing and GIS Applications
• Fisheries Resource Management
• Environmental Monitoring
• Sustainable Aquaculture Technologies

Eligibility for the Remarkable Researcher Award

Dr. Chandrakant Lingadhal is highly eligible for the Remarkable Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels in recognition of his distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in fisheries science, marine ecology, and environmental research. His sustained contributions include extensive teaching and research experience, successful leadership of nationally funded mariculture projects, significant research grant mobilization, 38 peer-reviewed publications, numerous scientific conference presentations, postgraduate student mentorship, and impactful work in coastal ecosystem conservation, aquaculture innovation, and fisheries development. His combination of academic excellence, scientific leadership, practical research outcomes, and national recognition through the Best Fisheries Scientist Award (2025) demonstrates a remarkable and lasting contribution to fisheries and aquatic environmental sciences, making him a deserving recipient of the Scientific Laurels Remarkable Researcher Award.